2. www.blendedschools.net
Discussion Tools
(Discussion Boards and Blogs)
• Structured back and forth
• Clearly associated with a user
• Not a wiki
Providing Engaging Learning Environments
3. www.blendedschools.net
Choosing a Blog or Discussion Board
Blog Discussion Board
• Organized by poster • Organized by thread
• Linear comment structure • Complex comment structure
• Easy to use and navigate • More involved navigation
Providing Engaging Learning Environments
5. www.blendedschools.net
Examples
• 2nd Grade Math
– Make up an addition number
sentence that can be solved by
another person.
– Read someone else’s number
sentence.
– Reply with the answer.
Providing Engaging Learning Environments
6. www.blendedschools.net
Examples
• Civics & Government
– Develop a want ad for the newspaper
seeking a candidate for president. Include
qualifications, responsibilities, and
privileges.
– This should reflect the constitutional
requirements as well as the qualities you
believe make an effective president.
– Respond to a peer by posting a cover letter
replying to the ad.
Providing Engaging Learning Environments
8. www.blendedschools.net
Implementing Online Discussion
Activities
• Post and use a rubric
• Model a post
– Real-time
– Think-aloud
– Poll: Are you familiar with the term
“think-aloud”?
• Will take longer than you think
• Circulate and redirect fast posters
Providing Engaging Learning Environments
